God is reflected in rock, water, tree, and fire. Religion is a personal experience.

Re·li·gion/rəˈlijən/noun

the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. “Ideas about the relationship between science and religion.” Synonyms: faith, belief, worship, creed. Plural noun: religions – “The world’s great religions”

a particular system of faith and worship.

a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance.

“Consumerism is the new religion.”

Pa·tri·arch·y/ˈpātrēˌärkē/noun

a system of society or government in which the father or eldest male is head of the family and descent is traced through the male line.

a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it.

a society or community organized on patriarchal lines.

plural noun: patriarchies

Ma·tri·ar·chy /ˈmātrēˌärkē/ noun – A system of society or government ruled by a woman or women. A form of social organization in which descent and relationship are reckoned through the female line. The state of being an older, powerful woman in a family or group. “She cherished a dream of matriarchy, catered to by grandchildren.”

Hu·mon·arch·y / ˈhyoo-muh-n-ärkē/ noun
A system of society or government in which the Father and Mother or eldest male and female are together head of the family and descent is traced through both the male and female line.

A system of society or government in which men and women hold the power and both men and women are largely included.
A society or community organized on neither matriarchal nor patriarchal lines.
plural noun: humonarchies. Goes with other words like Humanarchies, Humanarchists, and Humanarchism!Maitre_Jean.Dorvilus@3D2017 – I am neither the member of a matriarchy or a patriarchy because I support the Humonarchy! by El Toussaint Powr April 04, 2017

Then, I wish for financial solvency and security from teaching and selling my books, so I can pay my bills on time and make investments to grow wealth.

Finally, I wish that my non-profit receives a multitude of donations, memberships, grants, and other monetary contributions so we may continue to fulfill our mission to promote women musicians, globally. [www.wijsf.org]

The sun may set tonight. But it will rise, again, in the morning. ~ Dr. Diva JC

Each time you express a desire, the universe moves to make your dream come true. That’s why it is so important to think good thoughts and dream big! You are a co-creator with the universe and it is your prerogative to have everything or nothing at all.

Seven years ago, I decided to return to university for my doctorate in Business Administration/Marketing. I knew I would need something to carry me through my later years because musicians rarely have a pension. I completed my studies in July 2017 and began applying for teaching positions. However, the course I was chosen to teach was not in business or marketing but in public speaking – speech communication – for which my Master’s in Communication prepared me to teach.

I applied to numerous schools around the country but nothing materialized in my doctoral discipline. Then, two deans advised me that there was a shortage of speech professors and I should not discount the value I brought to the academy as a qualified speech teacher. I was slightly disappointed. But I kept fishing for opportunities and one just materialized.

My friend had just returned from Shanghai, China, where she taught a 5-week course in psychology. I told her I wanted to do that and she said the school was always looking for Speech teachers. So, I said, “Well, hook me up!” And she did!

Last week, I learned that my resume was accepted by the Chinese ministry to teach Speech Communication at Shanghai Polytech University in December! I’m thrilled because Broward College has affiliates in eight other countries, too! Currently, Broward College has International Centers in Bolivia, China – Shanghai, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Peru, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. I hope to teach at all of them!

Although I am desirous of teaching in my doctoral discipline, I do love teaching speech to college students. They think the class is only about standing up and talking about a subject. But is it about far more than that!

In the past three years, I relished seeing the lights go on in the eyes of my students. They learned to listen and think critically, research their topic, and organize their speech so that their audience (fellow students and me) understand, clearly, the premise that they are putting forth. Teaching this subject is extremely rewarding and, unlike business administration and marketing, every college student is required to take Speech Communication. So, I will never run out of places to teach.

In addition, getting to travel to foreign countries is a huge plus for this retired Jazz Diva! To enhance my teaching experience, I joined Toastmasters International, in April, to experience being evaluated for my speeches. Since I do the evaluations in my classes, I never get to be evaluated.

Another friend introduced me to Toastmasters a few years ago. But I didn’t see the value in it for me until I began teaching Public Speaking. I’ve completed the first 10 speeches and I must say that I have learned a lot about being a Competent Communicator. I belong to the Sailfish Toastmasters in Boynton Beach and I’ve taken on the board position of Vice President of Public Relations which gives me the opportunity to use my marketing skills.

Again, it is time to reinvent, after recapping the activities and occurrences of the past year. It was a very hot year, 2017. Many things culminated in 2017, including the completion of my doctorate.

This completion led to new beginnings that I am just now recognizing. I live in a new place, in a new city, with new responsibilities and goals. The goal is to take it to the next level. But first, I must recognize who I AM!

I AM the light, the way, the bringer of peace and tranquility. THAT is who I AM!

I live in the light. I walk the way. I bring peace.

I AM tranquility.

I AM ascending to higher heights of knowing, understanding, and being.

Following my first month teaching Speech Communication at Keiser University in Pembroke Pines, I returned to Southeastern College, where I am teaching my sixth class in Speech Communication. With each class, I learn to improve my teaching experience. For instance, for this class, I provide my students with a Glossary of Terms, a three-page document listing the verbiage used in the course.

Words like extemporaneous, rhetoric, and absolute relate to issues having to do with public speakers. It took me two years to develop this glossary and I am finding it very useful in this class. The point I am making here is that each experience, even when it is repetitive, can be a new beginning in life.

New beginnings are the path to excitement in life. When I completed my Master’s degree in Communications in 1994, I had no idea I would be teaching Speech 23 years later. Now, I am looking forward to teaching Business Marketing, which I studied for my doctorate that I completed in July.

When you remain open to possibilities in life, you find all kinds of opportunities that you never imagined. People implement change in your life when they learn about what you have accomplished. But you must continue to learn and grow. You must not stagnate.

What a travesty it is to for young people to think their lives are finished once they graduate from college, marry, have children, and raise them. At 70, I am embarking on a new journey as a professor and I am excited every single day. I encourage everyone to keep learning, keep growing, and envision your life as something new every day.